Cocoa for headaches. in Digest Number 1409

[Cl.Mennel]

Hi Cinnabar,

maybe it's interesting to know that cocoa (Theobroma cacao seeds) was
proved by Timothy Allan. He came to the conclusion that the theobromin
contained in cacao or cocoa can be compared to caffein or thein.
He furthermore mentions that cacao contains many different aromatic
substances whose effect could also be seen in the rhythm of the provers'
pulse.

Thus, it might easily be that the strong cocoa your patient drank was
and an antidote to nat. mur.

I've not found any other detailed description of cacao in the Materia
Medica.
But very interesting might be the proving of chocolate by Jeremy Sherr
http://www.homoeopathie-wichmann.de/pro ... colate.htm
unfortunately, in the web you can only find extracts of the German
translation of his proving.

Anyway, somewhat similar syptoms to those of your patient's can be
found:

"Dumpfer Schmerz über unterem Stirnbereich, tiefer und intensiver über
dem rechten Auge - mit leichtem Druck oben am Nacken. (9.00 Uhr). Druck
um rechtes Auge und Stirn (16.00 Uhr). (..) Alle Symptome scheinen
rechts etwas früher aufzutreten als links und dann auf die linke Seite
überzugreifen - z.B.: Hitze und Zerschlagenheit im Auge, Spannung im
Kiefer, scharfer Schmerz im Hypochondrium.(...) 14.15 Uhr - Druck auf
der Stirn, Schmerz hinter den Augen"

'Dull pain just above the lower forehead, deeper and more intensive over
the right eye - with slight pressure upper region of the neck. (9.00
a.m.). Pressure round the right eye and forehead. (4.00 p.m.) (...) All
symptoms seem to occur earlier on the right side than on the left side,
than they seem to extend to the left side - e.g. heat and exhaustion in
the eyes, the jaw, sharp pain in hypochondrium.(...) (2.15 p.m.)
pressure on the forhead, pain behind the eyes"

Also chocolate, of course, is different to cocoa, but never the less the
described symptoms of the proving might explain, why your patient
reacted sensible to a substance normally not a priority on the list of
antidotes.

Claudia

Here the details of the proving by Tiothy Allen:
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
PURE MATERIA MEDICA
By TIMOTHY F. ALLEN, A.M., M.D.
Presented by Médi-T
CACAO.

Theobroma Cacao, Linn. Nat. order, Sterculiaceæ. Tribe, Buettnerieæ.
Common name, Cocoa (chocolate in part). Preparation, Trituration of the
seeds (crude).

Authority. Marvaud, Aliments d'épargne.

In order to ascertain the effect of the active principles (aromatic
essences and theobromin) contained in Cacao upon the nervous system and
its dependencies, it was necessary to separate those principles, as far
as possible, from the fatty substances (Butter of Cacao) of which the
beans are so largely composed.

With this view, we prepared a decoction of powdered Cacao in boiling
water, and conducted our experiments with this liquid.

By placing ourselves under the influence of a decoction highly charged
with aromatic principles, and made from powdered Cacao well roasted, we
ascertained that this beverage produces an excitement of the nervous
system similar to that caused by a strong infusion of black coffee;
since these effects are insignificant if a decoction of the raw bean is
employed, it is natural to attribute them to the aromatic essences which
are developed in the Cacao by the process of roasting.

A still wider difference is observed when we compare the effects on the
circulation respectively produced by a decoction of powdered Cacao
roasted, and one of the same substance in a crude state. In the former
case, the sphygmographic tracing indicates an excited state of the
circulation, as shown by an accelerated pulse, with increased fulness
and diminished arterial tension.

When, on the other hand, an infusion of the raw bean is made use of, the
action of the theobromin predominates, and an entirely different
character of pulse is the result, as may be placed beyond doubt by
examining the following traces, obtained from a single individual.

In explaining the nutritive value of Cacao, we must take into account
the presence in this substance of a special alkaloid, theobromin, whose
physiological effects are identical with those of caffeine and thein (as
we have proved by numerous experiments), and which, retarding the
organic waste in the same way as the active principles of coffee and
tea, place Cacao high up among "les aliments d'épargne ou
antidéperditeurs" (the conservative substances, or those which check
tissue-waste).

(I couldn't copy the diagramms, but the rhythm changed considerately -
please check http://homeoint.org/allen/c/cac.htm)
(...)
Normal pulse.

(...)
Pulse five minutes after a decoction of the roasted bean.
(Action of the aromatic essences.)

(...)
Pulse fifteen minutes after a decoction of the crude bean.
(Action of Theobromin.)